December 30, 2009
The regular meeting of the
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the following business was transacted:
MOTION #1
The Commissioners authorized a minor change to Consent Agenda Item 9 below.
MOTION #2
The Commissioners approved the minutes of the December 17, 2009 public meeting reflecting the detailed summary of the Final Agenda.
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT
There was no executive session or work session held, per President Stakem
PRESENTATION
Item 1. Citation of Achievement – presented to William M. Kenny for his term as
Commissioner Stakem offered personal comments; Gary Moore noted experiences with Governor Hughes & presented Mr. Kenny with a lapel pin
Item 2.
Item 3. NewPage Corporation – Patsy Koontz, Public Relations Manager, thanked Commissioners for 100 % support over the years on behalf of their mill manger and 970 employees. Personal comment by Commissioner Stakem
Item 4.
ACTION AGENDA
Item 5. Appointment of new
Item 6. Agreement – Vote 3-0 to sign Westernport Municipal Police/Allegany County Merger. All 11 points were briefly explained by Acting Administrator Eberly: Town will transfer title to police vehicles & equipment & will continue to provide office site as substation; 2 current police officers offered employment with BOP following application & MPT requirements; Town to make payments in Fiscal Years 10 through 15 as outlined in agreement; County to assume responsibility for law enforcement within town beginning 1/18/10; grants assumed by County; command structure followed for applicable laws; Town Police Commissioner will be primary contact; monthly report from BOP; County will participate in public meetings monthly; and clause for the future addressed. See further Discussion below.
CONSENT AGENDA
As Recommended by
Vote 3-0
Department of Economic Development
Item 7. Lease Agreement – approved lease with Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority (for Allegany County Tourism Offices at Western Maryland Railway Station) effective 1/1/10 – 12/31/10 in the amount of $407.50 per month and authorized President to sign. Explained by Matt Diaz; see discussion below
Department of Public Works
Item 8. Travel Approval – approved travel for Acting County Engineer Adam Patterson, P.E., and Dan DeWitt to attend a Federal Highway Administration course on Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges in
Office of the Sheriff
Item 9. Grant for Enhanced Court Security – authorized Sheriff’s Office to receive and utilize $36,002 from Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention “Enhanced Court Security-JRA” under the Byrne—Justice Assistance Grants—ARRA of 2009, for the purchase of 3 metal detectors, 6 hand held security wands and the cost to install and train personnel. These items are to be used in the Circuit Court and Annex and are 100% grant funded. Increase budget line items 1360.8175 by $5,000 and 1360.8066 by $31,002. Increase appropriate budget line items, per Finance.
Department of Community Services
Item 10. Salvage Yard Licenses – approved issuance of the following 2010 licenses subject to payment of $100 each: Allen G. Kyle, Kyle’s Salvage Yard, 20505 N. Service Dr., Flintstone; James Reeves, Reeve’s Motor Company, Inc., 24411 Westernport Rd SW, Westernport; Howard Skidmore, Skidmore Auto Recycling, P.O. Box 605, Midlothian and Robert T. Twigg, Twigg Used Cars & Parts, 11410 Christie Rd SE, Cumberland.
Appointments
Item 11. Region I - EMS Advisory Council – Reappointed Chuck Barrick, Kenneth May, Donna Sruntz, William Herbaugh, Richard DeVore, Steve Kesner, Fred Tola, Linda Atkinson, Kingsley Poole, and Donald Malaney for three-year terms expiring 1/15/13.
Discussion:
Acting
- Offered special kudos to Roads Division on great job keeping County Roads cleared during month of December & over holiday.
- Noted Gary Moore contract from 7/1/09 to 6/30/11 is being changed. Effective 1/1/10, Colonel Moore will become part time in current position and agreed to salary/expense package of $10,000 per year. Chief Moore will continue to develop funding opportunities to support new projects (representing County’s interest in
- Responded to questions by Mark Nelson
County Attorney
Commissioners’ statements, comments:
Commissioner Stakem: Complimented Bill Kenny and said he appreciates all he has done for the County;
- Noted New Page contributions to our area;
- Complimented many qualifications of Colonel Moore as far as his credentials and contacts;
- Responded to Ed Taylor
Commissioner Lewis: Questioned Transit Division funding & why there are changes in mid-year; unfair for state & feds to do this in middle of budget;
- Echoed good comments on Chief Moore & thanked him;
Commissioner Hutcheson: Noted Jim Stafford’s work to cut ¼ M & appreciated his efforts in making reductions;
- Noted considerable time he has known Gary Moore; appreciated his work; he is very good contact for County;
- Thanked Westernport citizens for coming to meeting.
Commissioners – recognized Cathy Blank in her new position & her work in Commissioners’ Office for 30 years.
Constituents & Staff:
Mayor Amel Morris of Westernport: Expressed support of police partnership
Bill Kenny: Thanked Commissioners for recognition;
- Speaking as a Westernport business owner noted need for 24-hour police protection & county merger; Urged adoption of agreement
Chief Bobby Dick: gave details on the agreement (Westernport precinct; visibility in town; neighborhood watch program, technology, etc);
- introduced Rodney Bell and Bill Dixon;
- complimented Westernport Police Department;
- responded to questions by Mark Nelson
Cathy Beverage – Manager of Westernport Bank said merger is fiscally responsible thing to do and encouraged approval.
Mark Nelson (113 Decatur St) questioned various points of the Westernport police agreement (24 hour service/foot patrol; personnel benefits; tax differential; additional officers; contributions; how it would affect other towns (i.e., Barton/Midland/ Little Orleans citizens); questioned additional public meeting for discussion
- Asked if
- Pam Smith – Responded concerning taxes. A property in Westernport assessed at $100,000 would pay approximately $24 more in taxes with the change in differential at the end of the 5-year payment agreement;
- Attorney Rudd, Acting Administrator Eberly , and Chief Dick responded to other questions
Kevin Spradlin: questioned Consent #7;
- Matt Diaz said money will come from Tourism budget and cost is approximately twice the normal expense.
Ed Taylor Jr.,
- Discussed permanent inscription on U.S. Constitution Monument to be erected at Courthouse. The Historic Cemetery committee has erected 804 monuments with private money on private properties in Allegany County; they have a great issue with “secular” term (meaning non-religious or atheist) being inscribed; wanted this changed; noted court case in Utah; etc; doesn’t feel monument should be placed on public property at Court House; thoughts of future generations; asked that his comments be taken into consideration
- Commissioner Stakem: noted Committee approved inscription, not Commissioners.
- Attorney Rudd said inscription was approved by committee (noted membership represented Historical Society, Arts Council, Public Works Department representative; a local attorney, and a member of Citizens for Secular Government). Except for 1 vote (member representing Secular Government) all approved inscription.
Reminders: Next Work Session – Thursday, January 14, 2010 - 9:00 a.m., Room 212
Next Public Meeting - Thursday, January 14, 2010 - 11:00 a.m., Room 100
There will be no Public Meeting on January 7 - due to MACo Winter Conference
Allegany County Transit Training – Friday, January 8, 2010 – no public transportation services
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come to the attention of the Board, a motion to adjourn at 12:05 p.m. was made and duly carried.